Credit:
Bohemians -v- Linfield
- John Melia
- Fri, Apr 02 2010
Bohemians welcome Linfield to Dalymount Park on Saturday lunchtime (kick off 12.30) in the Setanta Sports Cup semi-final first leg. The Gypsies will be looking to put themselves in a strong position ahead of the return leg in a little over a fortnight.
The contest is set to bring together the current league leaders and champions-elect from Northern Ireland and the back to back champions from the Republic and bragging rights on the island as well as a place in the final are at stake.
After Monday’s match with Bray was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, Bohs have had a few extra days to recover but manager Fenlon still has some selection issues to face. Bohs are without the services of Steven Gray, Gareth McGlynn and Ruaidhri Higgins who are all cup-tied. Anto Murphy (shoulder), Killian Brennan (ankle), Brian Shelley (ankle), Jason Byrne (hamstring) and Ken Oman (dead leg) are all doubtful.
Speaking ahead of the game, Bohemians manager and former Linfield player Pat Fenlon told how he was looking forward to the contest. “This game is also a bit special for me. I played there at an important time in my career and I loved playing there. This match is sandwiched between important league fixtures but that takes nothing from it. We’re going out to win. “They [Linfield] don’t like losing in Dublin. They don’t lose too many times when they come down here. It will be a tough, tough encounter.”
The Gypsies have had a positive start to the season. The defending league champions have won three from four and their ten points mean they trail St Patrick’s Athletic on goal difference at the top of the Airtricity League.
Following a comfortable 3-0 win against Institute last Friday Linfield are five points clear at the top of the Carling Premier League table. They have only lost one of their last ten games, a run which also includes two matches against St. Patrick’s Athletic in the group stages of this competition.
Linfield striker Peter Thompson is looking forward to the challenge. “The Setanta Sports Cup games against southern opposition are always interesting encounters. Down there Linfield are seen as a big scalp. All the teams are aware of that and the fans feel it too.
Peter Thompson (back), JP Gallagher (knee), Robert Garrett (foot) and Noel Bailie (calf) are all expected to miss out through injury.
Venue: Dalymount Park
Referee T. Connolly
Paddypower.com odds: Bohemians 10/11 Draw 21/10 Linfield 11/4
Bohemians:
Doubtful: Anto Murphy, Killian Brennan, Brian Shelley, Jason Byrne, Ken Oman.
Suspended: Steven Gray, Gareth McGlynn, Ruaidhri Higgins (all cup-tied)
Linfield:
Doubtful: Peter Thompson, JP Gallagher, Robert Garrett, Noel Bailie.
Suspended: None
Extratime.ie Prediction: 2-1
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